We always state that the certificates we issue for Levande’s first aid trainings are for competency, not attendance. As of this moment, we offer 6 certification trainings under Levande®.
Let's lead into this topic and start by saying we love this testimonial from Edith R. N.! She is retaking the test for her first-aid training at a later date. This means, she would have to pay an additional fee and review the materials on our online learning platform.
Let me explain.
To show competence at Levande®, you must pass the physical skills assessment and a final test. All our trainees know this beforehand.
We are at pains to let them know that we are not making them doctors but to ensure they understand why, how, and when to do what they should do to give them the confidence to act.
We enforce this for several reasons. Most Nigerians do not take it seriously, especially if their workplace mandates them to attend. Giving these terms is one way they pay attention and learn because the certificate is not a given.
Due to this, we do not give certificates for our Demonstration Classes; not even for attendance. Because, pray tell, how will the fact that you attended a class where 50 of you saw how to do CPR or help a choking victim prepare you to do the same in a real-life scenario? Do you think you can confidently act?
Even for our blended trainings, where all the videos of the physical skills involved in the specific training are shown, not one person, I repeat, not one person in all the years has come to the physical skills session class and breezed through it knowing how to do them. Not one. That is why we do not give certificates for online learning.
So, have we failed people? Have people paid for any of our trainings and not gotten a certificate? To date, only one person did not get their certificate and it was their choice, not ours.
How?
First, our main aim is for people to know what to do to help in a medical emergency. So, we train you, then show us you understood what you learned. Our tests are not to fail you.
The criteria to be certified is you pass your physical skills assessment and final test, right? For physical skills, we give enough time so people master them, therefore, people pass it.
If one fails the final test, there are 2 two options:
- Remediation or
- Retake it another day (and pay extra).
To those offered remediation, which is having you answer the questions you got wrong again to get the chance to correct them, we do this because some people genuinely know the correct answers but due to various reasons, they mark the wrong one. We offer this to those who, during the training, did well – answered questions correctly, were enthusiastic, and showed interest in what they were learning.
Those who retake the test on another day did not answer questions correctly during the class, said a lot of "I don't know" and generally were not interested in learning. They have to go through our online learning platform to redo the training and then retake the final test.
We have a 100% pass rate with those who do remediation or retake the test after learning the materials again. Those who do not take these options fail.
Edith R. N. understands why she has to redo the test and still gave such a positive testimonial after the news. She gets it.
We are so proud of her!
Dr. Oluwatosin Osikoya is the Founder of Levande Healthcare Company. With over 24 years in the healthcare industry, she lives by the adages “Prevention is better than cure” and “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail“. She has been training on First Aid since 2016.
Email: tosin(at)firstaidbylevande.com.ng
Other articles by Dr. Osikoya:
- Navigating the Challenges of First Aid Training in Nigeria
- The Fascination with Certificates: A Concern in First Aid Learning
- Nigerians Issues with First Aid Trainings: Duration of Trainings!
- I Teach First Aid and I Love it!
- Nollywood Can Help Save Lives
- Nigerians Issues with First Aid Trainings: Lack of Willingness to Attend One!
- The First CPR I Performed
- Do Not Treat Your Car Better Than You!
- We are Misusing and Overusing Antibiotics!
- Fever In Children. Patience or Panic?
- What Your Nanny Should Know
- Nigerians Issues with First Aid Trainings: Duration of Trainings!